During my short tenure here at CCDO, I have found much to be proud of. We are headed in a bold, new direction and there's nothing more exciting than being a part of something new. We need to recognize the need for change, but building blocks for change do not have to be buzzwords or difficult processes—they can be strong ideas that reflect our hardworking communities. There is a sense of opportunity in Weed and Seed sites throughout the country; we must capitalize on this and work together to create safer and thriving communities. We initiated an advisory process to review the Weed and Seed program and many good ideas have already emerged. For instance, the advisory group stressed the importance of developing more resident leadership, so look for greater emphasis on resident leadership development in the future. The group also suggested more sharing of best practices, and we took this suggestion to heart immediately. In this issue of In-Sites, you will find many best practices stories, including an article about reaching people with limited English proficiency. This kind of problem analysis coupled with swift action is what CCDO is all about. We continue to redefine CCDO's goals. We are focusing more on sustainability and promoting coalition building and leveraging resources. This change in focus is not simply a tightening of budgetary belts, but rather a need for better strategizing and better working relationships within communities. So much can be done through creative thinking and partnering with others—do not look at the short-term problems and think there is a quick fix. Long-term planning, problem solving, and a comprehensive approach to crime prevention and community revitalization are what make Weed and Seed successful. We are proud to have entered into several partnership agreements with other federal agencies to enhance the neighborhood restoration element of Weed and Seed. Many of you learned about the programs with the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation at the Application Kit conference in Atlanta, GA. These partnerships will help residents in Weed and Seed communities manage their money better, increase their assets, and access banking services more easily. Just as important to take away from the conference are some simple guidelines to help you with your plans to make your communities safer. Many new grantees—and some more experienced grantees—make errors that can hinder their timelines for funding. We want to do everything we can to help you. In that spirit, I ask you to look at the special Application Kit Information page on the CCDO Web site to find tips that will help you avoid any pitfalls and speed your way to a successful year. There have been some leadership changes at the U.S. Department of Justice as well. Former Assistant Attorney General Deborah Daniels has returned to her private law practice in Indianapolis, IN. We will miss her advocacy on behalf of Weed and Seed, but we remain in good hands under the leadership of Acting Assistant Attorney General Tracy Henke. We welcome Tracy, our new CCDO Deputy Director Denise Viera, and all the new program managers who are working hard to better serve you. All this change is exciting, and I hope you share my enthusiasm. Contact us and let us help you accomplish all that you want. Sincerely, Nelson Hernandez |
